Alert archive / Arizona / Special Weather Statements in 2021

Special Weather Statement, NWS Phoenix, AZ

August 10, 2021

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this special weather statement at Aug 10, 2021, 4:44 PM MST. It was in force for 61 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 10, 2021, 4:44 PM MST (23:44 UTC)
Expired
Aug 10, 2021, 5:45 PM MST
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ
Hail
0.00 in
Wind
40

The radar

The Phoenix radar (KIWA), 141 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:47 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Phoenix, AZ (KPSR), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 110 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-08-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 110 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-08-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 11 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
110 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-193 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1490 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
93 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

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What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Phoenix, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Aug 10, 4:25 PM MST, 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 10, 4:25 PM MST, 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
425 PM MST Tue Aug 10 2021

.UPDATE...Updated Aviation Discussion.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
Upper level disturbances will produce favorable conditions for
showers and isolated thunderstorms across the region the next few
days. A line of strong to severe storms may move through parts of
southeast California and southwest Arizona from the north this
evening, with strong winds blowing dust, and flash flooding the
primary threats. Rain chances decrease towards the end of the
workweek but increase again for this weekend. Persistent humid
conditions and periods of cloudy skies will help keep afternoon
temperatures near or slightly below normal most days.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
After a cloudy and rainy morning in south-central AZ, skies have
cleared up with an upper low drifting northeast away from the
area. Scattered cumulus are seen across the area, even some flat
CU in Phoenix, but the PBL is cooler and more stable in the wake
of the upper low. Convection has flared up outside these areas,
like western AZ and southern Maricopa county. 12Z HREF members
are in good agreement that the areas in the wake of the upper low
will remain inhibited and quiet through this evening.

Of primary concern going through the rest of the day and this
evening is HREF supports a multi-cellular cluster of storms
coming together (already occurring) in parts of Yavapai, Mohave,
and southeast San Bernadino counties this afternoon before
tracking southeast into the local CWA, including La Paz and
eastern Riverside counties this evening around 5-7 PM.
Mesoanalysis shows high MUCAPE around 2000-2500 J/kg just south of
the Grand Canyon where strong to severe storms have already
developed. Deep layer shear magnitudes are relatively low and
steering flow is very light, resulting in erratic storm motions
and already a lot of cell mergers. Anvil level winds are pushing
off to the northeast, so this does favor new cell development
toward the west to south. Concerns will be strong to severe winds
and blowing dust as the storm cluster moves downhill into the
local CWA. HREF is showing a 50-60% chance for outflow winds in
excess of 35 mph, 10% chance in excess of 58 mph, and max possible
winds around 60-70 mph. Given the elevated moisture, PWATs near
2", high rain rates around 1-2"/hr and localized flash flooding
will be common with any storms, especially with any cell mergers
of cells lingering over the same areas. Outflow winds and isolated
storms may progress through most of southeast CA and southwest AZ
through this evening before dissipating later tonight.

Better chances for showers and storms in south-central AZ return
Wednesday morning as NBM PoPs climb to 30-50% between 2 AM and 9
AM MST. However, coverage may to be more limited without an upper
low overhead. Storm chances should then shift to the typical high
terrain spots Wednesday afternoon/evening. Model guidance does
show the weak upper low sticking close by the next couple of days
and possibly even swinging back down over south-central AZ late
Wednesday into Thursday. It is difficult to say what role this low
will play besides the slow steering flow. With slow storm motions
and elevated moisture sticking around, localized flash flooding
will remain a concern over the next few days.

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...
WPC Cluster and ensemble guidance give confidence that the H5
ridge will recenter over the Southwest later this week while
keeping signals for showers/storms most days. Chances generally
fall somewhere in the 10-40% range most days and favor the higher
terrain north and east of Phoenix. However, not every place will
see rain every day, as illustrated by the shared bimodal
distribution of 24 hour QPF guidance in both the GEFS and ECMWF
Ens, with the first peak ending within a day or so before peaking
again sometime this weekend/early next week. Upper level
disturbances embedded in the general circulation of the ridge
could enhance convection as it settles over the region. Otherwise,
temperatures are forecast to remain 2-5 degrees below seasonal
normals across south-central Arizona while afternoon highs reach
105-110 degrees along the Colorado River and southeastern
California.

&&

.AVIATION...Updated at 2325Z.

South-Central Arizona including KPHX, KIWA, KSDL, and KDVT:

At present southeasterly winds are occurring across all TAF sites
with multiple layers of FEW-SCT coverage. A cluster of
thunderstorms will likely stay mostly west of the metro area this
evening, but may reverse the wind direction to northwest, at
least for a few hours. The timing of this should be around 1Z for
KDVT and KSDL, and closer to 2Z for KPHX. The most likely
terminal to see any chance of showers is KDVT, but for now this
looks to be a 10% chance or less. Southeasterly winds will resume
at all TAF sites overnight.

At this time, it appears that showers may return to the area
Tuesday morning. A PROB30 group for showers was included from 13
to 16Z. If these showers develop, CIGS could lower to about 6k
feet, but will otherwise remain above 10k. Westerly winds will
resume by Tuesday afternoon.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona including KIPL and KBLH:

In the short term, south to southeast winds will continue for the
next couple of hours with FEW-SCT coverage mostly above 10k feet.
A line of thunderstorms is anticipated to impact KBLH from about
2-4Z. Wind gusts will likely exceed 30 kts, and may be as high as
40-45 kts with a northeasterly wind component. Dust with
visibility reductions, brief heavy rain, and lightning are also
anticipated. After this, winds will shift back to southerly with
no additional concerns.

For KIPL confidence is somewhat lower, but as of now this line is
expected to impact the area around 5-7Z, although it may be
weakening by that time. Wind gusts of 25-30 kts are possible
along with dust, brief heavy rain, and lightning. As at KBLH,
winds will return to southerly after the storm with no additional
concerns.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Thursday through Monday:
No significant changes to the outlook...Highs over S-cent AZ will
settle a few degrees below normal and near normal in western
areas. Storm chances may wane Thu/Fri but are expected to increase
again this weekend. RH values also remain elevated with periodic
influxes of moisture and below normal temperatures in most places.
Min RH will remain above 20-30% in all areas except for the drier
parts of SE CA where they will fall into the upper teens possibly
on Thu and Fri. Overnight recoveries will rise to 50+ percent for
most areas. Apart from thunderstorms expect mostly light winds
favoring normal diurnal patterns through the period.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters should follow standard reporting procedures.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...None.
CA...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Benedict
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...AD
AVIATION...Hodges
FIRE WEATHER...AD/Sawtelle

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 10, 1:08 PM MST, 3 hours 36 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 10, 2:09 PM MST, 2 hours 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
209 PM MST TUE AUG 10 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0905 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 SE CHANDLER           33.26N 111.82W
08/10/2021  M2.72 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   MESONET

            2.72 INCHES FELL BETWEEN 7:00 AND 9:05 AM.
            2.13 INCHES IN 1 HOUR (BETWEEN 7:17 AND 8:17
            AM) AT CHANDLER AIRPORT FCDMC AZ ALERT GAGE.

&&

MP
Local storm report, Aug 10, 2:25 PM MST, 2 hours 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
225 PM MST TUE AUG 10 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0805 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 WSW HIGLEY            33.29N 111.77W
08/10/2021  M0.95 INCH       MARICOPA           AZ   TRAINED SPOTTER

            A TRAINED SPOTTER IN GILBERT MEASURED 0.95
            INCHES OF RAIN BETWEEN 735 AM AND 805 AM
            NEAR LINDSAY ROAD AND PECOS RD. THE STORM
            TOTAL BETWEEN 720AM AND 905 AM WAS 1.34
            INCHES.

&&

AJ
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 4:43 PM MST, 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
443 PM MST Tue Aug 10 2021

AZZ533-534-537-538-541-542-110045-
Aguila Valley AZ-Cave Creek/New River AZ-Tonopah Desert AZ-
Deer Valley AZ-Central La Paz AZ-Northwest Valley AZ-
443 PM MST Tue Aug 10 2021

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern La Paz
and Maricopa Counties through 545 PM MST...

At 438 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms over
southern and western portions of Yavapai County moving south and
southwestward. The storms will begin entering northwest Maricopa and
far northeast La Paz Counties by 445pm and continue moving through
for at least 545pm.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Boaters on Lake Pleasant should seek
         safe harbor immediately.

Locations impacted include...
Surprise, Wickenburg, Wittmann, Circle City, Alamo Lake State Park,
Aguila, Lake Pleasant, Morristown and Vistancia.

This includes the following highways...
US Highway 60 between mile markers 83 and 136.
AZ Route 74 between mile markers 1 and 23.
AZ Route 303 between mile markers 126 and 131.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 11333 3402 11331 3400 11322 3400 11273
      3389 11231 3391 11224 3399 11219 3399 11216
      3372 11228 3368 11266 3386 11310 3423 11361
      3431 11353 3429 11336 3432 11334
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 003DEG 13KT 3396 11238 3395 11265 3408 11282
3414 11308 3447 11354

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AJ
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 4:44 PM MST, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
444 PM MST Tue Aug 10 2021

AZZ533-534-537-538-541-542-110045-
Aguila Valley AZ-Cave Creek/New River AZ-Tonopah Desert AZ-
Deer Valley AZ-Central La Paz AZ-Northwest Valley AZ-
444 PM MST Tue Aug 10 2021

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern La Paz
and Maricopa Counties through 545 PM MST...

At 438 PM MST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms over
southern and western portions of Yavapai County moving south and
southwestward. The storms will begin entering northwest Maricopa and
far northeast La Paz Counties by 445pm and continue moving through
the area until at least 545pm.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Boaters on Lake Pleasant should seek
         safe harbor immediately.

Locations impacted include...
Surprise, Wickenburg, Wittmann, Circle City, Alamo Lake State Park,
Aguila, Lake Pleasant, Morristown and Vistancia.

This includes the following highways...
US Highway 60 between mile markers 83 and 136.
AZ Route 74 between mile markers 1 and 23.
AZ Route 303 between mile markers 126 and 131.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 11333 3402 11331 3400 11322 3400 11273
      3389 11231 3391 11224 3399 11219 3399 11216
      3372 11228 3368 11266 3386 11310 3423 11361
      3431 11353 3429 11336 3432 11334
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 003DEG 13KT 3396 11238 3395 11265 3408 11282
3414 11308 3447 11354

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AJ

The office that day

Everything else NWS Phoenix, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 9, 5:24 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRLa Paz3 hr
Aug 9, 5:44 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRLa Paz46 min
Aug 9, 6:22 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR38 min
Aug 9, 10:11 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRGila34 min
Aug 9, 10:40 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRGila4 hr
Aug 9, 11:51 PM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa8 hr
Aug 10, 1:40 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa50 min
Aug 10, 1:54 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa51 min
Aug 10, 2:15 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRMaricopa45 min
Aug 10, 2:23 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal2 hr
Aug 10, 4:27 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRLa Paz48 min
Aug 10, 5:07 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRLa Paz53 min
Aug 10, 5:09 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRLa Paz2 hr
Aug 10, 5:52 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal5 hr
Aug 10, 6:21 AM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSRLa Paz39 min
Aug 10, 7:39 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRMaricopa, Pinal3 hr
Aug 10, 8:00 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa3 hr
Aug 10, 8:06 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa4 hr
Aug 10, 8:30 AM MSTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPSRMaricopa, Pinal7 hr
Aug 10, 9:54 AM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRLa Paz3 hr
Aug 10, 3:05 PM MSTAreal Flood WarningPSRMaricopa, Pinal7 hr
Aug 10, 4:43 PM MSTSpecial Weather StatementPSR62 min
Aug 10, 4:56 PM MSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPSRMaricopa49 min
Aug 9, 5:06 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRRiverside3 hr
Aug 9, 6:09 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRRiverside, San Bernardino115 min
Aug 10, 3:11 PM MSTAreal Flood AdvisoryPSRRiverside, San Bernardino3 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Arizona, 2021Every special weather statement in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.